Area Schools: A Closer Look

Area Schools: A closer look

January 26, 1995|By KEVIN F. HAYES; Courant Staff Writer

Of note

* The quality and character of a basketball team are not always defined by its star players. The individuals who score the points may get the most recognition, but Southington girls coach Joe Daddio said the real secret to his team's success this season has been his two senior captains: Becky Tabilionne and Anne Smith.

Together, Tabilionne and Smith are averaging a total of 2.5 points a game. But without their contributions, Daddio doubts the Blue Knights would be 9-2, 5-0 in the CCC South, and heading into a showdown for first place at Newington (10-2, 5-1) Friday.

``I couldn't be prouder of them. They have been phenomenal,'' Daddio said. ``They accept every role I give them and they do it for the good of the team. As a coach, those are the kinds of kids you love to coach.''

Tabilionne has proven to be the consummate role player, coming off the bench to provide consistent rebounding and aggressive defense. Smith is the starting point guard, who Daddio said has gone entire games without taking a single shot.

``She's averaging less than one shot a game,'' Daddio said. ``She really doesn't care if she scores a point, but she's handing out over eight assists a game. She's got the ball in her hands all the time and she makes sure the right people are getting it.''

Sophomore Jen Gombotz (16.7 points per game) and junior Allison Macca (15.4 ppg) lead the Blue Knights in scoring, while senior center Tiffany Steele has been a steady performer inside with her rebounding and defense. Because of an infusion of younger players who moved up from the junior varsity and the addition of Macca, an All-State transfer from Stonington, Daddio predicted it would take a while for his team to reach its potential. Daddio said the Blue Knights, No. 6 in The Courant's coaches poll, still have a way to go, but he is happy with the progress so far.

Southington will need its best performance of the season to get by rival Newington, eighth in the poll. The teams have played some memorable games the past few seasons. They split the regular season series last year and shared the conference title. Two years ago, Newington won both regular season games, but was upset by the Blue Knights in one of the most exciting CIAC Class LL state championship games ever.

``[Newington coach] Sandy [Pilz] and I are pretty good friends and he has really turned the Newington program around,'' Daddio said. ``We've had some great games and I think through the years, something really special has developed between the two programs. It should be fun.''

Quotable

* ``Any idiot can come up with a philosophy and game plan like that. But the players are the ones who executed the plan. They did an unbelievable job. [Wamogo- Litchfield] had 10 three-pointers against our zone the first game. We stressed containment because they like to penetrate and then pop it back to the three-point shooters. Not allowing them any threes is a tremendous accomplishment.''

-- Terryville coach Lou Lefevre explaining the Kangaroos' game plan after an important 59-51 Berkshire League victory over Wamogo-Litchfield last Saturday. The victory gave Terryville (11-0) a two-game lead over Wamogo (9- 2) and moved the Kangaroos one step closer to clinching their first league title since 1983-84.

Etc.

* Bristol Central won the team title at the East Catholic Wrestling Invitational last weekend. Joel Rockeman (140 pounds), Ryan Damboise (152), John Gagliardi (189) and heavyweight Pete Serafin won individual titles. Bert Aldi (145), Jeff Dufour (160) and Brian Boissoneault (171) took second place in their weight classes.